MLB Player News

Pfaadt is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Chase Field.

Even though Pfaadt was tagged for seven earned runs on nine hits -- including four home runs -- in his MLB debut last Wednesday at Texas, the Diamondbacks will give one of their top pitching prospects at least one more chance to prove he's worthy of a longer stay in the big-league rotation. Assuming Pfaadt can escape Tuesday's outing with a more credible line than he submitted in his debut, he'll likely receive his second start of the week this upcoming Sunday against the Giants, also at Chase Field. Pfaadt led all minor leaguers with 218 strikeouts in 2022 and never posted a walk rate above 6.5 percent across any of his stops as a professional, so if he can do a better job of limiting damage on flyballs in his future starts, the right-hander's fantasy upside could be immense.

Varland is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Target Field.

In his second start of the season with the big club last Wednesday and his first since April 14, Varland took a no-decision after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. Though Varland couldn't come through with a quality start, he managed to induce 15 swinging strikes among his 87 pitches, which bodes well for his outlook moving forward. Varland carries some risk as a relatively unestablished MLB arm, but with two starts likely on tap this week -- his second is expected to come Sunday at home versus the Cubs -- he could make for an appealing lineup option for managers who are chasing strikeout upside.

Seabold is listed as the Rockies' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh.

Seabold fell below the baseline for a quality start his last time out Thursday against the Brewers (three earned runs allowed over five innings), but it's enough for the 26-year-old right-hander to receive another turn through the depleted Colorado rotation. Even though he'll move from the hitter-friendly Coors Field to the more forgiving confines of PNC Park for his second start of the season, Seabold still won't make for a reliable streaming option.

Flaherty (hand) is listed as the Cardinals' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Though Flaherty was struck on his left hand by a comebacker in his most recent start last Thursday against the Angels, he didn't suffer any sort of significant injury and was pulled from the contest mostly for performance-related reasons, as he surrendered 10 earned runs over just 2.1 innings. Flaherty will thus be good to go on his normal four days' rest to take the hill Tuesday, but a road matchup against the Cubs along with his dreadful numbers this season (6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 34.1 innings) no longer make him the must-start fantasy option he has been for most of his career.

Freeland (neck) is listed as the Rockies' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game in Pittsburgh.

Freeland was bothered by a neck problem in his most recent outing last Wednesday against the Brewers, but he apparently came through his between-starts bullpen session no worse for the wear and will take the hill Monday on normal rest. The veteran southpaw tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come over the weekend against the Phillies at Coors Field.

Faedo did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

Faedo did a good job not issuing any free passes and did give up only three hits; however, two of those hits were home runs to Paul Goldschmidt. He was pulled in the fifth at 72 pitches despite not facing any threats on the bases. His performance was likely enough to earn him another go in the rotation should manager AJ Hinch elect to stick with a five-man rotation for the coming week. Faedo's next start would line up for a home matchup against the Mariners.

Matz did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits and no walks. He struck out two.

Matz surrendered a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson in the fourth but otherwise kept the Tigers in check. He left after the fifth with a 3-1 lead, which was promptly blown by James Naile the following frame. Matz has been rocky so far this season, but Sunday was the first outing during which he did not walk a batter and gave up fewer than two runs. The 32-year-old now sits at a 5.70 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 36.1 innings. He lines up for a difficult matchup on the road against Boston next weekend.

Miller (0-2) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a loss to the Royals.

Miller gave up a solo home run to Salvador Perez in the opening frame and the Royals got to him again in the fourth off a couple base hits. His teammates were only able to put up one run, leaving Miller still winless after his first four starts of his major league career. The 24-year-old owns a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 21.1 innings. He'll be tasked with his toughest test thus far in a projected matchup with the Rangers later in the week.

Alcantara allowed two runs on nine hits and did not walk a batter over 8.1 innings Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out nine and did not factor into the decision.

Alcantara had one of his vintage performances Sunday afternoon but wasn't able to quite close the door on the Cubs. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker opted to send Alcantara back to the mound for the ninth, sitting at 100 pitches, after he threw a combined 12 pitches between the seventh and eighth innings. He started by striking out Dansby Swanson, but then a single, a double and another single would drive in two runs to even the game at 2-2. Still, it was an overall dominant effort from the 27-year-old, but he's still in search of his first win since he threw a complete-game shutout April 4. Alcantara will now take a 4.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB into his next projected start against the Reds.

Wesneski allowed one run on five hits and no walks over six innings Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out six and did not factor into the decision.

Wesneski found himself with runners on the corners and one out in the opening frame before escaping with a 6-4-3 double play. He then went on to retire nine straight batters until Yuli Gurriel kicked off the fifth with a solo home run to left. Wesneski did allow a pair of singles in the inning as well but got out of it allowing just the one run. Sunday was his third consecutive outing allowing just a single run and his second start in a row going at least six innings. The 25-year-old now owns a 3.93 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB over 34.1 innings. He's projected to take the ball next in a road game against the Twins later in the week.